New This Winter: “World-Class” North Korean Ski Resort

This undated photo released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on May 27, 2013 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (center) providing a field guidance to the Masik Pass Skiing Ground currently under construction by the Korean People’s Army.

Watch out, Pyeongchang. When the Winter Olympics come to the South Korean town in 2018, North Korea is aiming to have its own rival world-class ski slopes.

Pyongyang’s state media reported on Sunday that Kim Jong Un inspected a partially-completed ski resort close to Wonsan on the eastern coast, under construction by its military. The report was accompanied by pictures of Mr. Kim, who gave specific instructions to a small band of note-taking generals regarding annual snowfall, drainage and arbor, “so that the slopes would look nice after the snow has melted.”

Reuters

A general view of the Masik Pass Skiing Ground under construction by the Korean People’s Army in this photo released by North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency May 27, 2013.

Mr. Kim was “greatly satisfied” to inspect the resort that covers hundreds of thousands of square meters, with slopes of all difficulty levels stretching 110,000 meters in total length, the Korean Central News Agency said. Upon completion, “a ski wave will seize the country,” Mr. Kim was quoted as saying.

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The shovel first hit the Masik Pass grounds less than a year ago, said the report, and Mr. Kim ordered to have it finished before the first snowfall this year. It will reportedly boast a hotel, a heliport and a cableway, which Mr. Kim stressed must be “world-class.” The highest peak is over 1,360 meters above sea level, according to KCNA.

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Another photo released by North Korea’s official news agency of Kim Jong Un at the Masik Pass Skiing Ground.

Mr. Kim is no stranger to skiing. A major part of his education was in Switzerland, where he was exposed to the arts and, apparently, the sciences of alpine sports. It’s not known if he prefers downhill, slalom or mogul runs, or whether he’s more partial to snowboarding.